PART I
To have a friend is a wonderful thing.
There is no end to the joy it can bring.
Someone to play with and have lots of fun,
But that’s just the surface. How deep does it run?
Someone who listens, whom I always can trust.
Let’s face it, Pal, without you I’m bust!
You lean on me, and I’ll lean on you.
We’ll be okay, and happy, too.
You walked in when the world walked out.
You’re someone special I can’t do without.
The song of my heart is something you know.
You can sing it to me when I’m feeling low.
We’ll take different paths—our separate ways go,
But there is something that you should know.
Life will toss us about without care—to and fro—
We’ll take parts of each other wherever we go.
And if you should die before my end,
Won’t you please, please ask to bring a friend?
Oh, there are places to go and things to see,
But always remember—you’ve got a friend in me.
There is nothing that I would not do
To have a friend just like you.
PART II
Why on earth do I feel so bitterly and negatively toward my friend? Why? Why? Why? What has he ever done to me except be nice? Has he ever offended me? No. Has he ever judged me? No. Has he ever stabbed me in the back? Not that I know of. Has he ever condescended to me? No.
So what’s wrong? I’ve invested too much in his friendship, and the investment is finished yielding returns. It’s reached the limit. Why is he even my friend? I don’t know. Maybe he feels sorry for me.
Does he ever hang out with me? No. Do I ever do anything with him except vent negative feelings? No.
Has he helped me immensely? Yes. Has he said the right things? Yes. For what? I don’t know.
Selfishness.
Have I helped him immensely? No. Have I said the right things? No. Why not? He doesn’t need it.
Do I invite him to hang out? No. Does he ever do anything with me except listen patiently to my complaints? No.
So what’s wrong? I’m getting everything I need—a listening ear and sympathizer. I treat friendship like an investment, but expect returns even though I have not invested. Why is he even my friend? Maybe he doesn’t want to be.
How on earth have I fallen so low as to treat a friendship like an almshouse? How? How? How? What have I ever done but take? Have I ever given my all? No. Have I given and not expected returns? Definitely not. Have I loved for the right reasons? Not that I know of. Have I forgotten myself? No.